Women’s rugby tournament started Owl-O-Ween tradition

With fall here in full swing comes an array of events and festivals on and off campus. Kennesaw State hosts many events throughout the year, including a homecoming concert with well-known acts, but the Owl-O-Ween festival has picked up a lot of steam in a short amount time. The festival takes place at Kennesaw’s stadium where thousands attend.

The main attraction from the festival has been the 20 hot air balloons that light up the night.

The festival has already gotten so big that it has gone from a one-night event to a two-day festival. The Owl-O-Ween festival has also gained sponsorships for the event and local radio stations were present.

What most people who attended the Owl-O-Ween festival did not know is that before any of the festivities even began, there was once a tournament that started the Owl-O-Ween festival in the first place. Three short years ago, it was just a rugby tournament for the women’s club team on campus. Then, the university wanted to add its own spin to the event.

According to Kennesaw State rugby player, Bekah Stewart, the university liked the idea of a fall festival and decided to incorporate one into the day of the rugby tournament.

This year, Kennesaw Sate’s women’s rugby team hosted five teams to play each other. The five teams included: North Georgia, Emory, Life University, Alabama, and Georgia Southern. The teams each had the opportunity to play two games and after each team is given a chance to place twice, it became a single elimination tournament.

The tournament is more of an opportunity to play different teams than it is about winning; each half is only 20 minutes, which is only half the amount of time in regular games. After the tournament is over, most of the girls from each team go together to enjoy the festival.

The rugby tournament kicked-off this year at 1:30 p.m. and was held at The Perch. The team also sold tournament shirts for $15. The tournament was free for anyone who wanted to come watch rugby before the festival.

“We love to have anyone come out and watch,” Stewart said.

The Owl-O-Ween festival was held from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 25 and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 and plans to return again for many more successful years.